There are three boat companies that offer services from the main land to Vancouver Island; BC Ferries, Hullo and Coho. 

• BC Ferries​​​

  • Horseshoe Bay Terminal is located in Central Nanaimo and services to Horseshoe Bay. 

  • Duke Point Terminal is located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo with services to Horseshoe Bay and Tsawassen.

  • Reservations are strongly recommended. Fares can vary depending on vehicle size, number of passengers and sailing time (early morning and late-night ferries are typically cheaper)

  • Crossing is 1hr40 minutes (from horseshoe bay) and 2 hours (from Tsawwassen)

• ​Hullo

  • Connects downtown Vancouver with downtown Nanaimo​

  • Passenger-only ferry, no car

  • There are taxis and shuttle services available at each terminal

  • Crossing  time is approximately 70 minutes

• Coho (USA Ferry Services)

  • Services between Victoria and Port Angeles WA. ​

  • Crossing takes approximately 90 minutes

Nanaimo offers three options for air travel:

• YCD - Nanaimo Airport

  • Offer service to various destinations

  • The airport is located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo

  • Taxis and rental car kiosks are available at the terminal

  • It is not an international airport, you cannot fly directly from the U.S. to Nanaimo.

• Floatplanes

  • Harbour Air offers flights between Nanaimo Harbour and downtown Vancouver, as well as to various coastal destinations

  • Seair Seaplanes offers scheduled flights between Nanaimo and YVR(Richmond)

• Helijet

  • A more premium option, offering service between downtown Vancouver,  YVR and Nanaimo​